Which book’s world would be the absolute worst to live in?

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge Stephen King fan. I’ve always loved the way that man can take an ordinary town, fill it with ordinary people, and turn it into something that makes you think twice about turning off the bedroom light.

But if there’s one fictional place you couldn’t pay me enough to live in, it’s Derry, Maine, from Stephen King’s It.

First of all, there’s Pennywise. A murderous clown who lives in the sewers, feeds on fear, and has a particular appetite for children. As if clowns weren’t creepy enough to begin with!

And can we talk about the people of Derry for a minute? Children are disappearing, terrible things keep happening, and somehow everyone just carries on with their lives. I’d be the nosy neighbour asking a thousand questions, probably getting myself killed before Chapter Five.

What makes It so frightening isn’t just Pennywise. It’s the way evil seems to have seeped into the entire town. You can’t trust what you see, you can’t always trust the people around you, and your worst fears can literally come looking for you.

Now, I love a good scare. Give me a Stephen King novel, a comfortable chair, and a rainy afternoon, and I’m perfectly happy. But actually living inside one of his stories? Not a chance.

Besides, at 62, I’ve dealt with enough frightening things in real life. I don’t need a clown popping out of a storm drain while I’m out for my morning walk.

I’ll leave Derry to the Losers’ Club, thank you very much.

What about you? Is there a book you absolutely loved reading but wouldn’t want to live in for all the money in the world?

With love
©️Suzy Bourget
suzybourgetauthor.ca